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Marine withdraws Iraq murder plea Marine withdraws Iraq murder plea
(20 minutes later)
A US marine who was the only member of his squad to plead guilty to murder over the death of an Iraqi civilian has asked to withdraw his plea.A US marine who was the only member of his squad to plead guilty to murder over the death of an Iraqi civilian has asked to withdraw his plea.
Cpl Trent Thomas made his request via his lawyer at the last minute, as the court was preparing to sentence him.Cpl Trent Thomas made his request via his lawyer at the last minute, as the court was preparing to sentence him.
He was a member of a unit accused of killing Hashim Ibrahim Awad, 52, in the town of Hamdaniya in April 2006.He was a member of a unit accused of killing Hashim Ibrahim Awad, 52, in the town of Hamdaniya in April 2006.
Three marines and a Navy medic pleaded guilty to lesser charges related to the incident. Others await trial.Three marines and a Navy medic pleaded guilty to lesser charges related to the incident. Others await trial.
Military judge Lt Col Tracy Daly granted Cpl Thomas' request after warning him he was creating a "very sticky problem" for the court, reports say.
Cpl Thomas was the first member of his unit to come forward with his version of events about the killing.Cpl Thomas was the first member of his unit to come forward with his version of events about the killing.
The unit was reportedly searching for an insurgent and took Mr Awad when they failed to find their target.The unit was reportedly searching for an insurgent and took Mr Awad when they failed to find their target.
He was put in a hole and shot in the head 10 times. The troops then placed a gun and shovel by his body to make it seem as if he had been an insurgent planting a roadside bomb.He was put in a hole and shot in the head 10 times. The troops then placed a gun and shovel by his body to make it seem as if he had been an insurgent planting a roadside bomb.
Forced marchForced march
At a sentencing hearing for Cpl Thomas on Wednesday, one his former squadmates testified that the marine corporal had been a key player in the killing.At a sentencing hearing for Cpl Thomas on Wednesday, one his former squadmates testified that the marine corporal had been a key player in the killing.
Other US investigationsOther US investigations
Petty Officer Melson J Bacos said Cpl Thomas and another marine, Cpl Marshall Magincalda, had entered Mr Awad's home and come out with him several moments later.Petty Officer Melson J Bacos said Cpl Thomas and another marine, Cpl Marshall Magincalda, had entered Mr Awad's home and come out with him several moments later.
Cpl Thomas held Mr Awad during much of the forced march to the place he was killed, Bacos said.Cpl Thomas held Mr Awad during much of the forced march to the place he was killed, Bacos said.
He said squad leader Sgt Lawrence Hutchins III then fired three shots into Mr Awad's head followed by at least seven more rounds to the head from Cpl Thomas.He said squad leader Sgt Lawrence Hutchins III then fired three shots into Mr Awad's head followed by at least seven more rounds to the head from Cpl Thomas.
Bacos was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his part in the killing but is expected to serve only a year in exchange for his testimony against his former squadmates.Bacos was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his part in the killing but is expected to serve only a year in exchange for his testimony against his former squadmates.
Cpl Thomas pleaded guilty last month to murder, conspiracy and kidnapping, among other charges.Cpl Thomas pleaded guilty last month to murder, conspiracy and kidnapping, among other charges.
But his lawyer asked that the plea be withdrawn on Thursday, only a day before the judge was expected to pass sentence.But his lawyer asked that the plea be withdrawn on Thursday, only a day before the judge was expected to pass sentence.
"You are creating a very sticky problem for the court," the judge, Lt Col Tracy Daley is reported to have said. "You are creating a very sticky problem for the court," Col Daley is reported to have said.
"He has already told me that he knew what he was doing is unlawful.""He has already told me that he knew what he was doing is unlawful."
But his lawyer, Victor Kelley, said Cpl Thomas now believed he had lawful authority for his actions.But his lawyer, Victor Kelley, said Cpl Thomas now believed he had lawful authority for his actions.
The case is one of several in which US troops are accused of killing Iraqi civilians.The case is one of several in which US troops are accused of killing Iraqi civilians.